Glass feeder



Patented June 16, 1 931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE i LEONARD I). SOUBIER, TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO OWENS-ILLINOIS G-LASS COM- PANY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO GLA'ss FEEDER Application filed December 27, 1928. Serial No. 328379.

i@ glass being delivered to the molds of machines for forming glassware.

The type of feeder to which the present invention relates, ordinarily comprises aboot or lateral extension on one wall of a melting m tank, and a Bottom outlet orifice near the outer end of the boot; The molten glass flows from the tenk into one end of the boot and thence to and thru the bottomoutlet 'orifice after which it is separated into mold charges which are delivered by gravity to the molds. 4

Because of the 'elatively small dimensions of the boot and the remoteness of thebottom outlet orifice 'from the primary heating means 'for the glass, the temperature of the. glass `lowers appreciably as it approaches' 'form of the invention'.

the outlet orifice. The drop in temperature is generally objectiona'ble in itself. How ever, this change in temperature constitutes a further detriment in that it. is seldom uniform thruout the glass and therefore results in cold streaks which produce defects in the glassware.

An object of the. present invention is to provide means to .avoid the above objections by maintaining uniform temperature' conditions thruout the glass in the boot and outlet orifice. To this end there is provided means to apply heat to the glass in' proximity to the outlet orifice heat rearwardly over the glass in the boot to an exhaust stack to thereby cause a gradal rise in temperature of the glass as it aproaches the front end of the' boot, or' at east prevent any objectionable drop in temperature between the tank and bottom outlet orifice. I

Another object is to regulate and predetermine the path of travel of the heat thru the boot in a fashion to permit variance of its eifectiveness in reheating the glass in the' boot. To this end, a baflie is projected into the boot between the usual exhaust stack and int of application of heat and supported E; means providing for adjustment of the and conduct the lower end of the baflie toward and from the I surface of the glass. Thus the area of the passageway between the baflie and glass may be varied at will and the degree of intensity with which the heat is applied to the glass thereby regulated.

A further object is to provide a novel form of combustion 'chamber and means to counduct heat to the surface of the glass over the outlet orifice. To this end the usual rotary sleeveor tube is projected downwardly into the glass over the outlet orifice and formed to provide a combustion chamber as well as an agitating *and stirring implement.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter. e

In the drawings:

j Fig( 1 is a sectional elevation of the invention. y V e e Fg. 2 s a transverse sectional view. Fg. 3 s a detal sectonal vew of another The preferred cmbodiment of my invena tion (Figs. land 2) comprises a furnace extension or boot 5 projecting laterally from one wall of a melti-ng tank 6. Molten glass "G fiows from the tank 6 thru a wall opening 7 into the boot 5 and thence forwardly ,to and thru a bottom outlet 'orifice 8 in the floor 9 of the boot. Flow of glass into the boot and the depth of the glass therein are regulated by a gate or block 10 which extends downwardlv thru thecover 11 of the boot at a point adjacent the inner end thereof ad projects any desired distance into the ass. perable to regulate the extent to which the gate 10 projects into the glass. Discharge of glass thru the outlet orifice 8 is controlled, in part, by a plunger 12 which projects into the glass in register with said outlet orifice 8. This plunger 12 is reciprocated vertically by a'rotary cam 14 and lever 15 in the usual manner toi alternately accelerate and retard `outflow of the'glass and to 'neck in the issuing stream at' regular time intervals preparatory to severa'nce of the letter into mold i i An adjusting wheel 10 is manually e hearing plate 22 and spaced upwardly therefrom by anti-friction balls 23. A ring gear 24 is carried by the circular frame 21 and runs in mesh with a' driving pinion 25, the latter being fixed to one end of ahorizontal shaft 26 which is rotated by any 'suitable means (not shown) thru a sprocket chain 27 4 and ,cam shaft 18. If preferred, the tube '16 'may be heldagainst rotation.

The tube 16 is adjustable vertically to change the area of the annular passageway 28 thru which glass flows to the outlet onfice 8 and thereby provide for variation of the rate of flow of the glass to the outlet orifice 8. Accordingly a pair of arms 29 are formed on the hearing plate 22 and are vertically adjustable on uprights 30 suitably mounted upon the boot 5.

The tube or sleeve 16 also functions as a combustion chamber as previously suggested. It also serves as means to direct intense heat to the surface of glass over and in proximity to the outlet orifice 8. To this end a fuel injector 31 is arranged at the upper end of the tube 16 to direct fuel gas or the like into the combustion chamber C formed by the tube. This fuel injector 31 comprises a cap late 32 fixed to the upper face of the circuar frame' 21 and formed with an annular series of downwardly opening ports 33 which lead from an annular chamber 34 to the combustion chamber C. This annular chamber' 34 (Fig."2) is in constant communication with'the interier of a stationary distributor 35 for fuel gas or the like, having an annular opening 36 extending downwardly for register with ports 37 eading to the annular chamber 34. V

The distributor 35 carries a tubular guide i 35 extending downwardly between the roi tary portion of the injector 31 and the lunger carrier 12", the latter being adapted or reciprocation thru the guide. A retaining ring 39`holds the distributor 35 in proper position relative to the chamber 34 while' permitting rotation of the tube and parts of the injector carried thereby. A supply pi e 38 for fuel gas or the like is connected to the distributor 35. Air for mixture with the fuel gas in the combustion chamber C is introduced into said chamberthru ports 40 (Fig. 2) in the cap plate 32. Outlet ports 41 near the lower end of the tube permt exhaust of products of combustion from the chamber C to the remaining portions of the boot 5.

The most efl'ectve portions of the products of combustion areapplied to the surface of the glass within the tube 16 directly over trolled y regulating'the flow of the injector. 'This of 'course controls to a the outlet orifice 8 and to portions of the glass in proximity to the outer wall of said tube. The efl'ectiveness of the heat as it moves' rearwardly is gradually decreased. However, the glass in the boot is hottest' near the furnace outlet 7 so that' it is unnecessary toapply any great amount of heat thereto. The tendency of the heat temperature to lower as it moves rearwardly in the boot,. and of the glass temperature to drop as t approaches the bottom outlet 8 creates a more or less balanced temperature condition in the boot and glass' contained therein. The intensit of the applied heat ma be conel gas to ment from the combustion chamber C to'the' stack 42 determines to a 'considerable degree their efl'ectiveness as a-means for raising the temperature of the the outlet orifice 8.

p A vertically adjustable gate 44 is suspended from a hanger 45 and extends across the interior of the boot with 'its lower end above the glass level and between the tube 16 and stack 42. By changing the position of this gate the path of travel of the products of combustion to the stack 42 is correspondingly changed. If the gate 44 is adjusted so thereglass movng toward that its lower end is uite close to th surface of the glass, the pro ucts of combu ion are forcedto follow a path which will cause extremely intimate contact. between' said products of combustion and the surface of the glass. .Also the position of the lower end of the gate 44 relative to the surface of the glass assists in controlling the effectiveness of the'heat by regulating to some degree the pressure of heat in the front end of the boot. By raising the gate 44 the area of the passageway beneath the gate is incresed so that the products of combustion may more 'easily flow to the stack 42 and be less eflective as'a glass reheating medium and flow more quickly to the stack 42.

In another form of the invention (Fig. 3)

'the construction is such that the plunger 60 is protected to a considerable degree against the efl'ect of the intense heat within the tube 57. To` this end the structure includes a stationary sleeve 50 surroundin a major portion 'of the plunger 60 an formed with a radial flange 51 at its upper end upon. which the supporting'ring 52 for the tube 57 is rotatvely mounted. .The flange 51 forms the upper wall of a fuel chamber 53 which ta-` pers downwardly and' opens into the upper end of the 'otary tube ,57. The sleeve '50 which forms one wall of the fuel chamber 53 is spaced from the plunger to form with the latter an annular passageway 54 which is open at both ends whereby outside air may enter the passageway to prevent excessive heating of the plunger 12. Portions of the air entering this passageway 54 are exhausted thru radial ports 55 in proximity to the lower end of the fuel chamber 53 for mixture with fuel gas which is injected into the upper end of the tube 57.

In the form shown in Fig. 3 fuel gas or the like is supplied to the fuel chamber 53 by way of the supply pipe 56, such fuel entering the upper end of the tube 57 and u immediately mixing with air which is into the cont-ainer,

troduced thru the annular passageway 54: and ports 55. The products of combustion are applied to the surface ofthe glass in the same manner as in the preceding form and are discharged from the tube-by way of 'orts 58. The remaining structure, by which s controlled the etfectiveness ofthe products of combustion as a heating medium for the glass outside of the tube, may be thesame as that p'reviously described.

Modi'fications may be resorted to'within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1; In a glass feeder the combination of a container formolten glass having a bottom outlet orifice, means to supply molten glass means to control gravity issue of glass* thru the outlet orifice, a tube projectinginto the glass in register with the orifice, said tube having a radial opening just above the level of the glass in the container, 'and means to introduce fuel into the tube for combustion therein whereby the glass directly over and in proximity to the outlet orifice may be' reheated.

2. In a glass feeder the combination of a container for molten glass having a bottom outlet orifice, means to supply molten glass to the container, issue of glass thru the outlet orifice, a tube projecting into the glass in register with the orifice, said tube having a radial' opening just above the level of the glass in the container, means to introduce fuel into the' tube' for combustion therein whereby the glass directly over and, in proximity to the outlet orifice may be reheated,'and an exhaust stack thru which the products of combustion are removed from the container. u

I 3. In a glass feeder the combination 'of a container for molten glass having a'bottom outlet orifice, means to to the container, means'to control gravity issue of glass thru the outlet orifice, a tube prop may be Varied.

means to control gravity supply molten glass jecting into the glass i`- register with the orifice, said tube havin a radial opening just above the level 'of t e glass in the container, means to introduce fuel intothe tube for combustion therein 'whereby the glass directly-over and in proximity to the outlet orifice may which the products of combustion are removed from the container, and means where: by the path of travel and rate of flow of the products of combustion to the exhaust stack feeder the co'n'bination of a 4. In a lass be reheated,-an exhaust stack thrucontainer or molten glass having a bottom outlet orificemeans to supplymolten glass to the container,\means to control gravity issue of glass thru the outletorifice, a tube proj ecting into the glass in register with the orifice, said tube having a radial opening just above the level of the'glass in the container, means to introduce fuel into the tube for combustion therein whereby the glass directly over and in proximity to the outlet orificemay be reheated, an exhaust stack thru which the products of combustion are removed from the container,

'outlet opening near one end, means to supply molten glass to the container, a rotary tube projecting into the glass in register with the outlet orifice, sad tube having radial opens ings adjacent itslower end and above the level of the glass in said container, means to rotate the tube, and means to apply'heat to the glass over and in proximity to the outlet rifice by way of said tube and openings. u

6. In a glass feeder the combination of a container' for molten glass' having a bottom a vertically' adjustable gate ex- 'tending transversely of the path of travel of there y change the pathoutlet opening near one end, means to supply molten glass to the'container, a rotar tube projecting into the glass in register wth the outlet orifice, said tube having radial openings adjacent its lower end and' above the level of the glass in said container, means to rotate thetube, means to apply heat to the glass over and in proximity; to the: outlet orifice by way of said tube and openings, and means to adjust the tical spaced relation the glass and. said openings.

7. In a lass feeder the combination of a container ormolten glass having a bottom outlet opening near one en'd,-nieans to supply tube projecting into 'the glas s in register wth the out et orifice, said tube having radial openings adjacent its lower end and above the molten glass to the container, a rota tube to change the verbetween the surface of exhaust means,

v glass into the other end of level of the glass in said container, means to rotate the tube, means to apply heat to the. 'glass over and in proximity to the outlet orifice by way of said tube and openings, means to exhaust the products of combustion from the container at a oint spaced horizontally froin the tube, and adjustable means to retard flow of the products of combustion to the stackand thereby cause intimate contact between said products of combustionand the glass during movement ofthe former to the exhaust means.

8. In a glass feeder the combination of a container for molten glass having a bottom outlet opening near one end, means to supply molten glass to the container, a rotary tube projecting into the glass in register with the outlet orifice, said tube having radial openings adjacent its lower end and above the level of the glass in said container, means to rotate the tube, means to apply heat to the glass over and in proximity to the outlet orifice by way of said tube and openings, means to eXhaust the products of combustion from the container at a point spaced horizontally from the tube, a vertically adjust-,able gate extending transversely of .the path of travel of the products of combustion to the and means to adjust said gate toward and from the surface of the glass to thereby change the cross-sectio'nal area of a portion of said path of travel.

.9. In a glass feeder the combination of a container for molten glass having a bottom outlet opening-near one end, means to deliver said container, a plunger projecting into the glass in register with said outlet opening, means to reciprocate the plunger vertically' to alternately accelerate and retard issue of glass thru said outlet opening, a tube projecting into the glass and surrounding a portion of the plunger and having radial openings near its lower end, means to supply heat to the interior of the tube, and means disposed between the tube and plunger to protect a major portion of the latter against the heat within the tube.

10. In a glass fee'der the combination of a container for molten glass having a bottom outlet opening near one end, means to deliver glass into the other end of said container, a plunger projecting into the glass in register with said outlet opening. means to reciprocate the plunger vertically to alternately accelerate and retard issue of glass thru said outlet opening, a tube projecting-into the glass and surrounding a portion of the plunger and having radial openings near its lower end, means to supply heat to'theinterior of said tube, and means disposed between the tube and plunger to protect a major portion of the latter against the heat within the ube, said protecting means being forme'd to admit outside air for contact with the plunger.

11. Ina glass feeder the combination of a container for molten glass having a bottom outlet orifice near one end, a rotary tube vertically aligned with said outlet orifice and projecting into the glass in said container, said tube having an outlet opening near its lower end, a uel injector at the upper end of said tube adapted to rotate with the latter, a stationary distributor associated with the injector, means to supply fuel to the distributor and thence to the injector for introduction into said=tube, and means to admit air into the upper end of the tube for mixture with the injected fue'l.

outlet opening, means to control issue of glass thru said opening including a tube projecting into the glass over' the opening, and

means to supply heat to the interier of the tube to reheat portions` of the glass in the container. I

13. The combination in a glass feeder of a container for molten glass having a bottom outlet opening, means to control issue of glass thru said opening including a tube projecting into the glass over the opening and formed with a series of outlet ports, and means to supply heatto the container by way of the ports and lower end of the tube to reheat'at least portions of the glass in the container. i

14. In a glass feeder, the combination of a container for molten outlet orifice, means for supplying molten glass to the container, means for controlling the discharge of glass through the outlet orifice, means providing a heat confining chamber within the container arranged to apply heat directly to a restricted area of glass over said orifice, and means forsupplying heat to said chamber.

15. In a glass feeder, the combination of a container for molten glass having a bottom outlet orifice, means forisup lying molten glam to the container, means i the discharge of glass through the outlet orifice, a tube extending downward into the and means for supi container over the outlet, plying a heating fluid within said tube and applying it directly to the glass over the outlet orifice. v

16. In a glass feeder,`the combination of a container for molten glass having a bottom outlet orifice, means for supplying molten glass to the container, means for controlling the discharge of glass through the outlet orifice, 'a tube extending downward into the container over the outlet, a burner associated with said tube and supplyng heat therein, the beat being applied directly to the glass over the outlet, and means for directing the products of combustion from said glass having a bottom or controlling j ing it to the glass over the outlet.

18. The oombination of a. glass furnace, a foreheath extension thereof providing a container into which glass flows from the furnaee, 'said extension having a. bottom out- 15 let opening, a. tube extending downward into. 'the container over the outlet, a. burner sup plying heat withinsaid tube and a plying it to the glass over the outlet, an imp ement extending downward through said tube into go the glass over the outlet, and means for periodically actuatng said implement'to control the diseharge of glass through .the outlet.

-19. The comhination of a. lass furnaoe, 25 e forehearth' extension thereo providing a. containei" into which lass flows from' the furnace,-said extension &vin a bottom out-- let opening, e tube extending ownward into 4 the eontainer over the outlet, a. burner supao plying heat within said tube and epplying it to' theglass over the out1et, a, stack communicating with the container betweenthe fur-- nane and said tube, and means for drecting the hot' gases from said tube through the con'- 4 35 tainer to said steak.

Signed 'at Toledo, Ohio, this 26th day of December 1928. e V i LEONARD D. SOUBIEB.. 

